Collapsible garment hanger



"0 a 15, 1946. w. GERSOHN 93 COLLAPSIBLE GARMENT HANGER Filed March 12,1945 INVENTOR. WILL/m qeRs mv Patented Oct. 15, 1946 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE COLLAPSIBLE GARMENT HANGER William Gcrsohn, Yonkers, N. Y.

Application March 12, 1945, Serial No. 582,223

9 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in garment hangersand has more particular reference to a collapsible garment hanger,

The new and improved collapsible garment hanger is particularly intendedfor manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers of ladies and childrensdresses. At the present time this class of trade is using inexpensivecardboard hangers. It is customary to support large groups of dresses bythese hangers next to each other on support racks. When it becomesnecessary to ship the garments, the hangers should be removed. However,the hangers cannot be easily removed, because usually the neck openingsof the dresses are too small to permit convenient removal through theneck. It then becomes necessary to remove the hangers through thebottoms of the garments. The labor cost in so removing the hangers, andin individually handling the garments to do this, is higher than thecost of the paper hangers. For this reason it is customary in the tradeto break one of the shoulder pieces of the cardboard hangers so thatthey may be easily removed through the neck openings of the garments.

While the hangers are relatively cheap, they add up to quite an itemwith manufacturers, reaching upwards of $500.00 a month for even mediumsized firms. For this reason some concerns attempt to salvage the brokenhangers by placing two broken hangers together and securing themtogether with staples. Now these mended double hangers are used in thesame Way as the original hangers. When it becomes necessary to ship thedresses they are broken and discarded. Some firms do not even bother tobreak hangers, but ship the garments with the hangers in them.

This invention proposes collapsible garment hangers which may be easilycollapsed while maintaining positions upon a supporting rack permittingthe hangers to remain in position, on the supporting rack while thedresses are slipped down off the collapsed hangers. It is proposed to soconstruct the collapsible hangers that a group of dresses may be graspedat one time, for example, a half. a dozen, or so, and simultaneously thehangers of the entire group may be collapsed so that each individualhanger may remain on the rack, as the dresses are removed. This is agreat saving in labor, and in hangers. It eliminates the necessity ofbreaking the hangers for quick removal through the neck openings. Thefact that they may be collapsed While a group of dresses is beinghandled,

is another important feature, since this operation is much faster thanone requiring that each garment hanger be individually collapsed.

More particularly, it is proposed to characterize the new collapsiblegarment hanger by the fact that it includes a stationary section,referably consisting of a shoulder piece connected with the supportinghook of the hanger, and a pivotally connected section, consisting of theother shoulder piece, which is pivotally connected with the stationarysection to swing upwards and downwards. A very important feature of theinvention resides in the fact thatinterengageable limiting elements areprovided on the stationary section and on the pivotal shoulder piecearranged normally to support the pivotal shoulder piece in a horizontalposition, and said limiting elements being resiliently urged to separatefrom each other when the pivotal shoulder piece is lifted a shortdistance, whereupon the pivotal shoulder piece is freed, and may becollapsed downwards. Now the hanger may be removed throughv the neckopening. It will be readily seen that with this new construction a groupof dresses may be held by the stationary sections of the hangers, andthe pivotal sections may be pivoted upwards, through the material of thegarments, by one motion of the hand, so that all of the pivotal shoulderpieces are freed and may be pivoted downwards permitting the entiregroup of hangers to be removed through the neckopenings of the garments.

The invention contemplates numerous modified forms. In one such form,the new and improved collapsible garment hanger is constructed ofcardboard, fiberboard, thermo-plastic or other similar sheet materials.In another form itis constructed of wire resembling very much a commonwire garment hanger. In still another form, the new cardboard garmenthanger is reinforced with metal clips at the points, or areas where thepivotal shoulder piece engages against, or rests upon the stationarysection of the garment hanger.

Still further the invention proposes the construction of a new andimproved garment hanger as briefly described, which is exceptionallysimple, relatively durable, very desirable and which may be manufacturedand sold at a low cost.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects andadvantages thereof, reference will be had to the following descriptionand accompanying drawing, and to the appended claims in which thevarious novel features of the invention are more particularly'set forth.

In the accompanying drawing forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. l is a side elevational view of a collapsible garment hanger,constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged end view of Fig. 1, looking in thedirection of the-line 2-2 thereof.

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view similar to Fig. 1 but illustrated withthe pivotal shoulder piece in a raised position.

Fig. 4 is an end view looking in the direction of the line 44 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is an elevation view of another collapsible garment hangerconstructed in accordance with a modified form of this invention.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. '7 is another side elevational view of still another collapsiblegarment hanger embodying another form of this invention.

Fig. 8 is a side elevational view of the pivotal shoulder piece of thehanger shown in Fig. '7.

Fig. 9 is a side elevational view of the stationary section of thehanger shown in Fig. 7.

The collapsible garment hanger, in accordance with that form of theinvention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive includes a stationarysection 10 consisting of a shoulder piece I I connected with andsupported by a hook l2. A movable shoulder piece [4 is pivotallyconnected by a pintle member or rivet IS with the stationary section IDto swing upwards and downwards. Interengaging limiting elements [6 andIT on the pivotal shoulder piece l4 and on the stationary section II),respectively, normally support the pivotal shoulder piece M in ahorizontal position. These interengaging limiting elements t6 and i! areresiliently urged to separate when the shoulder piece i4 is moved, orlifted. When thus moved the shoulder piece I4 is freed, and the hangermay be collapsed.

The limiting elements I6 and I! are in the nature of projectingportions, which are adapted to hook together, or engage each other inany way, so as to limit pivoting or moving of the shoulder piece M. Theinherent resiliency of the material from which the stationary section10, or the movable shoulder piece M, or both of these parts are made, isdepended upon to provide the necessary resiliency for urging the imitingelements I6 and I1 apart. For this reason it is necessary that theshoulder piece l4 and the stationary section twisted, relative to eachother, when the shoulder piece i4 is moved downwards, to set the hangerinto its operative position. For example, in Fig. 3 it is necessary thatthe shoulder piece [4 be pivoted backwards relative to the stationarysection In to interengage the limiting elements It and I1. Theseelements are shown interengaged in Figs. 1 and 2. Whenever the shoulderpiece I4 is raised to the position shown in Fig. 3, or above thisposition, the parts return to their normal positions, as illustrated inFig. 4, in which the stationary section I is in a plane adjacent themovable shoulder piece I4. Now the shoulder piece l4 may be pivoteddownwards for collapsing the hanger. The stationary section II] and themovable shoulder piece [4 may be constructed of cardboard, fiberboard,thermoplastic or other boards, or materials, which are somewhat springy.

In Figs. and 6 a modified form of the invention has been disclosed whichis very similar to If] to be slightly manually the prior formdistinguishing merely in the fact that reinforcement clips l9,preferably made of sheet metal, are engaged upon the contacting edgeportions of the interengaged limiting elements I6 and I1. These clipsreinforce the edge portions preventing rapid wearing out, or bending ordamaging of the contacting edge portions. In this way the life of thehanger is increased. Furthermore, because of the reinforcement clips l9it is possible to construct the hangers of thinner, or lighter weightcardboard, or other desirable materials.

In Figs. 7 to 9 inclusive, still another form of the invention has beendisclosed which is very similar to the prior form distinguishing merelyin the fact that the garment hanger is constructed of wire instead ofsheet material. This new wire garment hanger has a stationary section 20consisting of a shoulder piece 2| connected with a hook 22. A movableshoulder piece 24 is pivotally connected with the stationary section 20by a pintle member, or rivet 25 so that it may swing upwards anddownwards. The stationary wire section 20 follows the outline of thecorresponding stationary sections in the prior forms of the invention,departing merely in the fact that the wire continues into a loop portion30 used as a socket for the pintle member, or rivet 25. The shoulderpiece 24 also follows the contour of the movable shoulder pieces in theprior forms of the invention departing in the provision of a loop 3| toform another socket for the pintle member, or rivet 25. The shoulderpieces 2| and 24 overlap sufiiciently so that they support each otherwhile pivoting and assist the pintle member or rivet 25 in firmlypivotally connecting the shoulder pieces. The shoulder piece 24 and thestationary section 20 have interengaged limiting elements 26 and 21,respectively, which normally engage each other for supporting theshoulder piece 24 in its horizontal position. These interengagedlimiting elements 26 and 21 are resiliently urged to separate due to theinherent resiliency of the stationary section 20 and the movableshoulder piece 24, when the shoulder piece 24 is lifted, or moved,whereupon the shoulder piece 24 is freed and may be moved downwards.

The operation of the new and improved collapsible garment hanger may beunderstood from the following:

It is intended that the new hangers be particularly used where largequantities of ladies and children's dresses are manufactured or handled.Suchusers would be manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers. The newgarment hanger may be individually inserted into the neck opening of thegarment by moving the movable shoulder piece into a collapsed position.Then the movable shoulder piece may be raised and slightly twistedrelative to the stationary section of the hanger to cause theinterengageable elements to interengage each other and lock, or hold themovable shoulder piece in its horizontal position. The

garments may now be hung up by the hangers upon support racks, or otherplaces.

When it becomes necessary to ship, or handle large quantities ofdresses, the hangers may be removed. To do this, a group of the hangersare gripped with one hand and with the other hand the movable shoulderpieces are raised through the material of the garments. Thi causes theinterengaged limiting elements to disengage from each otherautomatically because they were resiliently being urged into separatedpositions while the movable shoulder pieces were in their horizontalpositions. Now that the movable shoulder pieces are free, they may becollapsed downwards and the hangers quickly drawn out of the dresses, orother garments.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of myinvention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to theprecise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to allchanges and modifications coming within the scope of the invention asdefined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim a new and desire tosecure by United States.

Letters Patent is:

1. In a garment hanger having a stationary section, a shoulder piecemovably connected with said stationary section to swing upwards anddownward, and interengaged limiting elements on said stationary sectionand on said shoulder piece supporting said shoulder piece in ahorizontal position, and said limiting element on said shoulder piecebeing directed downwards and resiliently urged laterally to separatesaid other limiting element when said shoulder piece is lifted,whereupon said shoulder piece is freed to be collapsed downwards.

2. In a garment hanger having a stationary section, a shoulder piecemovably connected with said stationary section to swing upwards anddownwards, and interengaged limiting elements on said stationary sectionand on said shoulder piece supporting said shoulder piece in ahorizontal position, and said limiting element on said shoulder piecebeing directed downwards and resiliently urged laterally to separatesaid other limiting element when said shoulder piece is lifted,whereupon said shoulder piece is freed to be collapsed downwards, saidinterengaged limiting elements being integral with said stationaryection and with said movable shoulder pieces.

3. In a garment hanger having a stationary section, a shoulder piecemovably connected with said stationary section to swing upwards anddownwards, and interengaged limiting elements on said stationary sectionand on said shoulder piece supporting said shoulder piece in ahorizontal position, and said limiting element on said shoulder piecebeing directed downwards and resiliently urged laterally to separatesaid other limiting element when said shoulder piece is lifted,whereupon said shoulder piece is freed to be collapsed downwards, saidmovable shoulder piece being inherently springy to provide saidresilient urge.

4. In a garment hanger having a stationary section, a shoulder piecemovably connected with said stationary section to swing upwards anddownwards, and interengaged limiting elements on said stationary sectionand on said shoulder piece supporting said shoulder piece in ahorizontal position, and said limiting element on said shoulder piecebeing directed downwards and resiliently urged laterally to separatesaid other limiting element when said shoulder piece is lifted,whereupon said shoulder piece is freed to be collapsed downwards, saidstationary section being inherently springy to provide said resilienturge.

5. In a garment hanger having a. stationary section, a shoulder piecemovably connected with said stationary section to swing upwards anddownwards, and interengaged limiting elements on said stationary sectionand on said shoulder piece supporting said shoulder piece in ahorizontal position, and said limiting element on said shoulder piecebeing directed downwards and resiliently urged laterally to separatesaid other limiting element when said shoulder piece is lifted,whereupon said shoulder piece is freed to be collapsed downwards, saidstationary section and said movable shoulder piece being inherentlyspringy to provide said resilient urge.

6. In a garment hanger having a stationary section, a shoulder piecemovably connected with said stationary section to swing upwards anddownwards, and interengaged limiting, elements on said stationarysection and on said shoulder piece supporting said shoulder piece in ahorizontal position, and said limiting element on said shoulder piecebeing directed downwards and resiliently urged laterally to separatesaid other limiting element when said shoulder piece is lifted,whereupon said shoulder piece is freed to be collapsed downwards, saidlimiting elements being integral with said stationary section and withsaid shoulder piece and being flexed one back of the other forconstituting said interengaged condition.

7. In a garment hanger havin a stationary section a shoulder piecemovably connected with said stationary section to swing upwards anddownwards, and interengaged limiting elements on said stationary sectionand on said shoulder piece supporting said shoulder piece in ahorizontal position, and said limiting element on said shoulder piecebeing directed downwards and resiliently urged laterally to separatesaid other limiting element when said shoulder piece is lifted,whereupon said shoulder piece is freed to be collapsed downwards, andreinforcement clips engaged upon said limiting elements at thecontacting edge portions thereof.

8. In a garment hanger having a stationary section, a shoulder piecemovably connected with said stationary section to swing upwards anddownwards, and interengaged limiting elements on said stationary sectionand On said shoulder piece supporting said shoulder piece in ahorizontal position, and said limiting element on said shoulder piecebeing directed downwards and resiliently urged laterally to separatesaid other limiting element when said shoulder piece is lifted,whereupon said shoulder piece is freed to be collapsed downwards, saidstationary section and said shoulder piece being of wire material, andioop portions being formed in said wire material to form socketopenings, and a pintle member engaged through said socket openings forpivotally connecting said movable shoulder piece with said stationarysection, and said shoulder piece and stationary section overlapping forassisting said pintle member in firmly pivotally connecting said parts.

9. In a garment hanger having a stationary section, a shoulder piecepivotally connected with said stationary section to swing upwards anddownwards, and interengaged limiting elements on said stationary sectionand on said shoulder piece supportingsaid shoulder piece in a horizontalposition and resiliently urged to separate when said shoulder piece ismoved upwards, whereupon said shoulder piece is free to be collapseddownwards.

WILLIAM GERSOHN.

